Derry Journal [Northern Ireland]
May 18, 2007
http://www.derryjournal.com/viewarticle.aspx?sectionid=3421&articleid=2888996
A Priest told the third day of a child sex abuse trial in Derry yesterday that he had informed the PSNI of the abuse allegations made against a fellow priest in the Derry diocese.
Fr. John Farren, PP of Iskaheen in Muff, Co. Donegal, said that, in referring the allegations to the police, he was following the protocol laid down by the Catholic Church in Ireland in its dealings of clerical abuse claims.
The defendant is Fr. Patrick Joseph Crilly, (63), of Tobermore Road, Desertmartin, Co. Derry. He denies four charges of indecently assaulting a schoolgirl in the Derry diocesan pastoral centre, Bishop Street, between September 1977 and November 1980.
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| Fr. Patrick Crilly |
The complainant, who is now a forty-five years old separated mother of two, had earlier told the jury that the alleged abuse had taken place when she'd gone to Fr. Crilly for counselling about becoming a nun. At the time of the alleged abuse, the defendant was the diocesan Director of Vocations.
Fr. Farren yesterday told the jury of six men and six women that he was appointed the diocesan delegate six years ago. His responsibilities were to process allegations of clerical sexual abuse in the Derry diocese.
He said the complainant was referred to him by another priest. He said he first met with her on November 3, 2005.
"I met with her in the Waterside parochial house. It was her choice of venue. I took an account from her. After I had taken the account from her, I 'phoned the Bishop of the diocese (Bishop Seamus Hegarty), which was part of the procedure, and I contacted the care unit at Maydown PSNI Station and informed them of the allegations made.
"As part of the process, when I inform the Bishop, he then informs the person who is accused to make contact with me. That was done. Fr. Crilly 'phoned me on November 4, 2005 and I met with him the following day", Fr. Farren said.
He added: "During the 'phone call, I gave him a brief indication for the purpose of the meeting. I told him there was an allegation. I named the person to him. I then met him on November 5 at Ardmore parochial house. It, too, was his choice of venue.
"At the meeting I informed him of the procedures laid down. I told him my job was to report to him the allegations made and that he did not have to make any retort to what I had said. I told him the person who was making the allegations and explained the nature of the allegations.
"He said he knew the the person who was making the allegations. He did not make any response to the allegations. I had told him he did not have to respond to me. I advised him to take legal advise before he would
make any response", he added.
Fr. Farren said he then informed Bishop Hegarty and the police before he withdrew from the process. Fr. Farren said that, during his meeting with the complainant, he did not ask her any questions, nor did he interrupt her.
'Fantasy'
Earlier, the defendant's barrister, Brian McCartney QC, had accused the complainant of making a "fantasy" of allegations against Fr. Crilly.
"You have added to your allegations in a way that has been intended to add a more shocking dimension to them, in other words to attract greater attention", he said.
"You have had a number of opportunities to provide an accurate account in relation to the allegations which you are making. Every time you make these allegations, you add to them in some way, they never remained constant", he added.
The complainant rejected Mr. McCartney's assertions.
The trial continues next Monday.
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